Black Day for the Media: May That Cursed Time Never Return

There is a saying: when one can openly call someone a tyrant, they are not truly a tyrant. But when uttering the word “tyrant” itself becomes dangerous, that is when true tyranny exists. Such was the situation for the past 15 years. Things were so dire that even commemorating the “Black Day” for the media became impossible.

On June 16, 1975, the BAKSAL government shut down all newspapers except four, which were brought under government control. This effectively marked the end of freedom of expression and denied the public access to accurate and objective information. A blanket of darkness descended across the nation. Overnight, thousands of journalists lost their jobs. What’s worse, many journalists and other professionals were forcibly made to join BAKSAL. Fearing for their livelihood, many complied.

This is why June 16 is marked as a Black Day in Bangladesh’s history, symbolizing the brutal suppression of press freedom. It remains one of the darkest chapters in the country’s national history. Journalists commemorate this day every year with condemnation and protest. In 1978, the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) unanimously declared this day a “Black Day” at its annual council meeting.

According to a report published in The Daily Ittefaq on June 17, 1975, under the new government media policy, Nurul Islam Patwary was appointed as editor of the paper. The government revoked declarations for all newspapers except The Daily Bangla and The Bangladesh Observer, and later reissued declarations for Ittefaq and Bangladesh Times. These four newspapers, under government-appointed editors, were the only dailies permitted to operate. The government also allowed 122 weeklies and monthlies to continue, declaring that no other publication could operate without prior approval.

Another Ittefaq report from that same date stated: “President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has issued two ordinances introducing a new media policy. From today (Tuesday), only Ittefaq, Bangladesh Observer, Daily Bangla, and Bangladesh Times will be published. Editors for each paper have been appointed accordingly.”

The oppressive environment of the BAKSAL era returned in an unofficial form during the recently ousted government’s 15-year rule. Several popular newspapers and private television channels—such as Amar Desh, Dinkal, Channel One, Diganta TV, Islamic TV, and CSB—were forcibly shut down. Thousands of journalists were pushed into unemployment. Some publications like Naya Diganta were denied government advertisements, pushing them into financial crisis. At least 60 journalists were killed during that government’s tenure.

In a stark example of suppression, the government arrested Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, sealed the newspaper’s printing press, and shut it down. Following his arrest, he was subjected to false cases and inhuman torture during remand. The government also shut down Diganta TV and Islamic TV to conceal the massacre of Hefazat-e-Islam protesters in Motijheel. Shortly after coming to power, that same government also shut down Channel One and halted the test broadcasts of Jamuna TV.

Yet, human beings are born free. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. Just as people want to speak, they also want to listen. Denying this right is to stifle intellectual growth and mentally paralyze society.

The oppressive laws of 1975 were overturned by the November 7 uprising led by the people and soldiers. After assuming power, President Ziaur Rahman lifted these oppressive restrictions, ensured freedom of expression, and encouraged the spread of newspapers across the country.

With the recent political change on August 5, there is hope that such dark days will never return. The people of Bangladesh have shown they will not tolerate the suppression of free speech. They are committed to protecting this freedom at any cost. People must live with dignity—speak their own truth and listen to others. As a civilized nation, Bangladesh will secure its rightful place on the global stage, and with that, the legacy of the “Black Day” will be permanently erased from the country’s history.